I was recently lucky enough to come across and purchase this interesting find. This is an early 20th Century African Yoruba Opon Ifa, or known as a Divination tray.
I spoke with an Ifa priest from Nigeria the other night who spoke to me about the tray and the rituals that were done.
This tray was used for many things, fortune telling, cure sickness, solve problems and help people make important decisions in life. This tray alone probably guided 100's of people and sent them on different paths in life. Not only that but it may have healed many people.
This is very similar to SanterĂa, and voodoo. Many similarities but yet different.
They reached out to many deities, one represented on the top middle of the board. (the face) When asked about the face i was told "she's Omo awo ORUNMILA Olalere. Olalere Awolowo
She betrayed ORUNMILA, when she was alive that's why, she turned to tray like that."
There are at least 401 recognized Orisha, or gods in the Yoruba pantheon!
This is a great piece for people who are into oddities, religion, Ouija boards and or who collect interesting artifacts.
There is obviously damage to the tray but it is how i found it. Sorta make it look cooler in my opinion.
The person who sold it to me said it had bad energy, even the priest i spoke to said I should really cleanse it...which i have not. So idk, buyer beware?
Write me with questions